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MMA·May 5, 2026 03:40 PM ET

Benavidez says he absorbed Zurdo punches to land his own in dominant win

Benavidez touts toughness after stopping Zurdo Ramirez.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated May 51 min read
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What happened: David Benavidez told Ariel Helwani he willingly absorbed punches from Zurdo Ramirez during their fight in order to land his own combinations. Benavidez framed the exchanges as a measure of his character, saying that for every punch he took, he came back with five. The quote comes from Helwani's broader sit-down breaking down Benavidez's stoppage win over Ramirez.

Why it matters: The remarks reinforce the narrative Benavidez has been building since the fight, positioning himself as the most willing fighter at 175 pounds and continuing his public campaign for a Canelo Alvarez showdown. Coverage of Benavidez's dominant stoppage of Zurdo Ramirez has dominated the boxing news cycle, and these toughness claims add to the case he is making for a marquee next fight.

What to watch: Watch for Benavidez's next opponent announcement and any response from the Canelo Alvarez camp. Helwani is expected to release more from the interview in the coming days.

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